The evaluation of Minnesota's State Department of Education Information System (SDE-IS) analyzes existing problems of this administrative data processing system and offers recommendations for improving data processing support and reducing the reporting burden on school districts. SDE-IS includes all data processing systems that serve the administrative functions of the department and provide management information to decision-makers in the department and legislature. Chapter I of the report presents background information about the history, staffing and organization, and finances of SDE-IS. Chapter II discusses the current capabilities of the system, the extent to which the State Department of Education has achieved its original goals, user satisfaction, and work remaining for the future. In chapter III technical aspects of SDE-IS are reported on, including systems design, documentation, data management, and efforts to develop a data element dictionary. Chapter IV assesses the management of SDE-IS, particularly its performance of needs analysis and planning, its use of systems development methodologies and consultants, and the adequacy of SDE's own staff resources. Finally, chapter V discusses policy alternatives for future development and governance of SDE-IS. Legislation authorizing appropriations for this evaluation is appended. (Author/MJL)